The stream narrowed between some rocks, so much that even Alice could spring across without wetting her feet.
"I am afraid Linna can't leap it," remarked Ben with a smile.
"Me show you." And, without recoiling a step, the nimble little one made a graceful bound, which landed her several feet beyond the other margin.
"Well done!" said Ben; "I couldn't do much better myself.

Now, Alice, you are not going to let her beat you ?" Alice was timid at first, but with a good start she cleared the space.
She landed, however, so near the water that had not the watchful Linna caught one of the hands thrown up to save herself, she would have fallen back in the stream.
Mother and son imitated them, and all stood on the other side of the obstruction without having suffered any inconvenience.
While they were congratulating themselves, a startling reminder of their danger came in the near report of a rifle.

It was from the direction in which they had seen the bear, and in the stillness of the woods all heard a snarling growl, which proved that the beast had received his death wound.
"The Indians are there!" whispered the frightened Ben; "what shall we do, mother ?" "What can we do ?" she asked, helpless and at her wits' end for the moment; "there seems to be no escaping them." "Me go talk with them," was the amazing remark of the little Delaware girl.
"You talk with them!" repeated Mrs.Ripley; "what can you do ?" "Don't know--me try." And without waiting for permission, Linna started on a light run toward the point whence came the report of the rifle that gave Bruin his death wound.

Mother and son looked in each other's face in mute wonderment for a full minute after the departure of the girl.
"She's a remarkable child," finally said the mother; "she has done us more than one good turn, and, it may be, Heaven intends to make use of her again, though I cannot see how." "The Iroquois will recognise her as one of their own race.

Perhaps one or more of them belong to her tribe: they will know her as the child of Omas, and may listen to her pleadings." "Alas! they will give little heed to them; my heart misgives me, son: I feel that the end is at hand." Meanwhile, let us follow Linna, the Delaware, upon her strange mission..